The first women’s club side ever to tour South Africa, Richmond will play four games, against reigning South African club champions Goodwood Gazelles; against the University of Pretoria; against a provincial side from Pretoria and against a Western Provinces invitational XV in the Newlands Stadium in Cape Town.’I wasn’t going to go and I haven’t played for Richmond for several years,’ said Christie.
‘But they kept on asking me.
The other two members of the Scottish front row also play for Richmond, so I think they wanted the three of us to stay together.’England’s development squad have just returned from there, having won the three games they played.’One or two of the team will be going back with us for Richmond.
When I look through the squad we’re taking, we’re all Scottish, Irish or England internationals!’Christie, who has been capped over 50 times at prop for Scotland, usually plays for Division II side Nottingham, where she was player of the year at the end of last season.So she recognises that to be invited to tour with Richmond, one of the top British clubs, shows how highly rated she is in her chosen sport.’It is also quite a big thing for women’s rugby in South Africa,’ she said.
‘It will help to give the sport a higher profile.’The 17-day tour begins on 1 August and in the meantime Christie is maintaining a rigorous fitness regime, training each day in the gym.’I’ve lost a little weight,’ she said.
‘I’m really looking forward to touring.
As it is the middle of their winter, the heat shouldn’t be a factor.
I think the average temperature at that time of year is around 22 degrees.’Anyone interested in sponsoring Christie’s tour to South Africa is asked to log on to aliprop@yahoo.com
